Our Graduates

Hernan Orozco graduated from Occidental College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Most recently, he is pursuing his graduate degree in Speech Therapy. He is currently a Graduate Tutor at West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Daniel E. Shaw entered Making Waves in 1991 as a student at Richmond’s Adams Middle School, where standards were low and peer pressure discouraged academic achievement. With the help of Making Waves, he accelerated his learning and received unwavering support from high school through graduate school. A graduate of St. Mary’s College High School, Morehouse College, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Daniel is now an associate marketing manager at General Mills.

Tammy Foster graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She went on to California State University, Sacramento, and received her Master's in Counseling (2004). Tammy works for the Foster Care Agency of Sacramento and has her own consulting firm, providing counseling to adolescents and their families.

Ajani Jackson graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2002 with a bachelors of science in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. Ajani completed a Masters of Science in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health in 2003 and received his Medical Degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2009. He finished his Psychiatry residency from Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, Texas in 2009 and is currently finishing his last year in fellowship at Emory University with a focus in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Rebeca Rangel graduated from Stanford University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Urban Studies. In 2005, she received her Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Rebeca is currently on leave from Bank of the West, where she serves as Senior Vice President/Community Affairs, in order to attend law school at Northwestern. She also serves on the board of both MWF and MWA.

Shawn Boykins graduated from Tufts University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Shawn completed his Master’s in Electrical Engineering at Arizona State. He currently is an engineer in telecommunications with Commscope.

Evan Wade graduated from Morehouse College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies. He completed a Master's Degree in History at the University of Connecticut. He is currently an Associate Professor of History at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA.

Corina Garcia graduated from California State University, Hayward (now East Bay), in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In 2005, she received her Master's in Public Administration. Corina currently works at Making Waves Foundation as Operations Manager.

Santiago Gasca graduated from Tufts University in 2010 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Child Development and Clinical Psychology. Currently, he is in the process of completing his graduate thesis at Tufts University, which explores the educational paths of young men who choose to pursue a trade education.

Guillermo Gallardo graduated from Santa Clara University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Currently he is a mechanical engineer I at Fujifilm Dimatix.

Through comprehensive services and an extended day, Making Waves Academy immerses its students in rigorous academic courses through instruction that is addresses student learning styles and cooperative learning techniques that are culturally relevant and responsive.